The Clear Lake Water Authority has responded to a news release posted by residents of the authority who have complained about what they claim is violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act because notice of the meeting was not posted in Houston County, where the GCWA owns a tract of land. Listen: MP3RealPlayer

“There is some erroneous information in what Mr. Terry has told you,” said Bill Schweinle, attorney for the water district. “Here is the key issue, key facts. Number 1, the entirety of the Clear Lake Water Authority is within Harris County with the exception of one small tract in Houston County.”

He said the Houston County property has never had any residents on it.

“It pays no taxes to the water authority,” he said, explaining that the tract was annexed by the CLWA in the 1970s. “It has been in the water authority and appeared on the entire boundary maps in the water authority since that time.”

Because there are no residents in Houston County paying taxes to the district, Schweinle said there is no legal requirement to post public notice of the board’s meetings in Houston County. He said he will review the issues with the Texas attorney general.

“I’ve always shot straight with the water authority and give them my best legal advice that I possibly can; and I think I’m right on this,” Schweinle said. “I’m not always right, but I think I’m right on this one.”